Demountable handle assembly

ABSTRACT

A demountable, lightweight, tubular appliance handle is shown, having two or more tubular sections. The tubular sections are interfitted by a C-shaped elongate spring connector normally press-fitted in one of the tubular sections to a point approximately one-half the length of the connector member to accomodate the next adjacent tubular section for slidable mounting on the exposed end of the spring connector member. A collar is slidably disposed adjacent the outer end of the spring connector member to provide a wiping action along the exposed end of the connector member as the adjacent tubular section is slidably mounted thereon, such that the tubular section following the wiping action of the collar is more prone to removal than the next adjacent tubular section. The collar retention flange has flanking undercuts to receive the tubular element.

United States Patent [191 Popeil [54] DEMOUNTABLE HANDLE ASSEMBLY [75] lnventor: Samuel J. Popeil, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Popeil Brothers, Inc., Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1971 21 App1.No.: 178,348

[52] U.S. C1. .287/2, 285/398, 287/111, 287/126, 306/1 [51] lint. Cl. ..Fl6b 7/00, B25g 3/12 [58] Field of Search ..287/l26, DIG. 9, 287/2092 E, 2, 52.06, 104, 111, 127; 306/1,

DIG. 2; 138/151, 156, 163, 170, 89; 15/143 [451 Apr. 17, 1973 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 281,445 12/1927 Great Britain ..285/398 Primary Examiner-David J. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-C0nrad L, Berman Attorney-Dominik, Knechtel & Godula [57] ABSTRACT A demountable, lightweight, tubular appliance handle is shown, having two or more tubular sections. The tubular sections are interfitted by a C-shaped elongate spring connector normally press-fitted in one of the tubular sections to a point approximately one-half the length of the connector member to accomodate the next adjacent tubular section for slidable mounting on the exposed end of the spring connector member. A collar is slidably disposed adjacent the outer end of the spring connector member to provide a wiping action along the exposed end of the connector member as the adjacent tubular section is slidably mounted thereon, such that the tubular section following the wiping action of the collar is more prone to removal than the next adjacent tubular section. The collar retention flange has flanking undercuts to receive the tubular element.

13 Claims, 10'Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 71975 SHEET 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR SAMUEL J. POPE/L BY aw ATTORNEYS DEMOUNTAIBLE HANDLE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a demountable handle, and more particularly the type of handle employed on manually actuated household appliances. Such household appliances as are contemplated are floor mops, wax applicators, dusters, window Squeegees, and the like. Additional applications may exist, for example, where a long handle is required for the attachment of a saw blade for a tree pruning implement. The handle has applicability wherever lightness of weight, demountability for compact storage and shipment, and strength along one axis is required.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART Most of the known handles consist of circular rods and have a threaded end for insertion in a threaded core in the appliance upon which the handle is mounted. Such handles are often formed of wood.

Other forms of demountable handles consist of unitized handle assemblies which are mounted to the appliance by means of a spring-loaded clip, or the like, such as that exemplified in U. S. Pat. No. 1,508,995. Still another handle assembly which is demountable is formed of a plurality of tubular sections telescopically disposed with respect to one another, whereby the handle may be collapsed and storage space for the ap pliance minimized. Such a construction is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,029,455.

Other handle assemblies such as those exemplified in U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,619,368 and 3,380,097 attempt to provide the art with sectioned handles which may be joined together via connectors, and for the most part, such connectors are threaded type connectors whereby adjacent handle sections are threadedly secured to the connector which, in turn, provides the joint for the handle assembly. Such handle assemblies are bulky, relatively expensive to make, not easily demounted and remounted, and more often than not, the joints for such handle assemblies lack sufficient lateral strength whereby the operator bearing down against the handle may easily break, crack, or otherwise destroy the bandle assembly.

Another type of handle assembly is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,932,047 wherein a series of spring-loaded studs is provided along the length of the major handle rod and tubular sections are slidably mounted on the basic rod having a series of apertures whereby the spring-loaded ball will rest in a suitable aperture as the operator moves the slidable tubular section over the basic rod. The positioning of the tubular section may be changed by depressing the spring-loaded bolt and moving the tubular section to the next adjacent aperture. Such handles suffer from the defect of being extensible only to the degree to which there are tubular sections mounted on the basic rod, and in addition, such handle assemblies are usually quite flexible whereby guidance of the appliance is rendered difficult and upon the exertion of excessive pressure, such handle assemblies have been known to crack or otherwise become damaged.

It is also known in the art to employ handle assemblies consisting of, for example, two sections, which are joined together by means of a restricted throat portion adjacent the end of one of the tubular sections, the restricted throat accommodating the slidable mounting of the next adjacent tubular member thereover. Such a handle construction is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,892,203. The handle structure disclosed in the aforementioned patent shows a two-sectioned tubular handle wherein the lower tubular section includes a restricted throat adjacent the top end, over which the upper tubular section is slidably mounted. A threaded bolt is provided for insertion through apertures appropriately provided in both of the tubular sections in order to hold the tubular sections in place once the top section has been slidably mounted on the restricted throat of the lower tubular section. It is clear that the tubular sections cannot be formed identical to one another, since the lower section must have a restricted throat formed as an integral part thereof. Hence, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to have a series of such tubular sections joined together to form an extended handle where desirable. In addition, it is necessary to have a bolt assembly for holding the tubular members together, and hence, additional parts are necessary, requiring the operator to engage in several manipulative steps in order to assemble the handle.

Alternatively, some handles may be formed of a number of sections which may be press-fitted together in the manner shown in US. Pat. No. 2,984,853. However, it is apparent that from such construction, the handle sections may become disengaged while the appliance is in use and hence, such construction is rather clumsy and does not provide a relatively secure and fixed handle assembly.

Finally, wooden handles are notorious in this field and usually such handles are joined together by means of having a threaded end on one end of one tubular section, and a threaded receptacle adjacent the end of the next tubular section whereby the two may be threadedly mated. While such handles are inexpensive, nevertheless, usually the joint between the wooden handle and the appliance is often unsightly, or when threaded for demounting, can be broken when extensive pressure is applied, or after a few removals, the threads may become frayed and the joint becomes virtually unusable.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight, rugged, durable, and inexpensive primarily metal extensible handle for use on household appliances.

A related object of the present invention is, in more specific detail, to provide an extendable handle assembly in which all of the main handle body members, irrespective of length, may be identically formed and positioned each with regard to the other with identical joining parts.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a joint construction which, when shipped,is such that it is easy to join an adjacent section. Also an object of the joint construction is to provide a finished joint in which removal will normally be accomplished only in one direction.

Still another more specific object of the present invention is to provide a plastic collar at each joint which serves the purpose of preforming the spring member of the joint to fit readily within the next tubular section, wipe the spring member in a lubricating type action,

and ornamentally join the two adjacent tubular sections with a spacing portion between the two.

In the preferred embodiment of the present inven tion, a further object of an elliptical handle construction with orientation along its major axis is also achieved, thereby rendering the same relatively inflexible along the primary axis of applied force.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention contemplates the provision of a demountable handle assembly, which consists of a plurality of tubular sections, each of the tubular sections being identical one to the other, and a C-shaped spring connector member which is press-fitted into the end of one tubular section to a point approximating half the length of the connector member, leaving the other half of the connector member outwardly exposed and the next adjacent tubular member slidably mounted on the exposed end of the C-shaped connector member whereby the adjacent tubular sections may be joined together and form a stable and relatively strong handle assembly. In addition, the connector member is provided with a slidable collar which is disposed, prior to the mounting of adjacent tubular sections, at the outer end of the exposed portion of the connector member and is caused to slide along the C- shaped connector member as the next adjacent tubular section is slidably mounted onto the connector member. The collar provides a wiping action along the exposed length of the connector member, whereby in demounting the handle assembly the tubular section following the collar during the mounting operation is more prone to removal than the next adjacent tubular section in which the connector member was pressfitted. The collar also performs the function of strengthening the joint between adjacent tubular sections and it is so constructed so as to receive the adjacent tubular sections in enveloping relationship.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular sections are elliptical in configuration and are formed from rolled sheet aluminum and the spring member is formed of spring steel, the open portion in the spring member being defined by the jaws ofthe C-shaped cross section, the open section straddles the interior seam of the roll formed tubular sections. The construction of the handle assembly as set forth herein enables the operator to join together as many tubular sections as may be necessary to reach the desired height or distance depending upon the particular appliance which is to be utilized and the particular work function to be performed. Additionally, the preferred embodiment of the tubular sections forming the handle assembly of the present invention are each provided with longitudinal striations running along the length, and so constructed that in use, the major axis of the elliptical tubular sections is in the plane of the effort which is applied to the handle by the operator whereby the handle is capable of withstanding excessive pressures during use.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I shows three diagrammatic views of a handle assembly illustrative of the invention in a variety of uses;

FIG. 2 is a crosssectional view of two adjacent tubular handle sections joined together and having the collar at a mid-point at the juncture between the adjacent tubular handle sections, taken in the plane of the major axis of the elliptical handle portion;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, showing a first tubular handle section having the C- shaped spring connector member press-fitted therein, the collar being disposed at the point of juncture between C-shaped connector member and the first tubular handle section and a second tubular handle section in position for sliding engagement along the connector member;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the collar, connector member and a tubular handle section taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the collar;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the collar taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 66;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing a first tubular handle section, the collar, the C-shaped spring connector member and a second tubular handle section in aligned relationship;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing the positioning of the respective tubular sections, C-shaped connector member and collar in position prior to mounting the first tubular handle section into position onto the C- shaped connector member and in aligned relationship with the next adjacent tubular handle section.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the end plug which is inserted in the most rearward tubular handle portion thereby to close off the handle and prevent the operator from scratching himself when utilizing the appliance;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a tubular handle which is shown to merely be an elliptically shaped tubular member which is welded along the length at the point ofjuncture where the two side edges meet.

Usages of a demountable handle (reference number 10 in FIG. 1, a,b, and c) are employed variously. In FIG. la, for example, the user is utilizing a demountable handle 10 with two tubular body portions 12, I4 separated by the collar 20. The usage is on a floor mop, but could similarly be employed on a dust mop, wax applicator, and the like. In FIG. 1b, the handle is extended at least one more section by the addition of section 16, and a dry cloth duster is attached to one end for use in dusting in high corners such as in the cathedral type living rooms ofa tri-level house. FIG. 1c illustrates an outdoor usage of the same illustrative handle 10 in which a squeegee has been attached at the end for use in cleaning windows at a higher elevation, thereby avoiding the necessity and risk of using a ladder. Throughout the balance of the description, reference will be made to the handle generally with the reference numeral 10, a collar 20, and sections 12, 14 and 16. It will be appreciated that while two and three members of the handle are referred to, depending upon the length of the section the materials employed, and the available weight limitations, more or fewer sections can be employed. Additionally plastic molded end caps with a mounting receptacle, or insertion members for mating with the various appliances can be inserted and anchored in the tubular sections 12, 14 and 16.

The illustrative demountable handle assembly 10, comprises a first tubular section 12 having a mounting end 13 and a second tubular section 14 having a mounting end 15 (FIG. 2). The tubular sections 12 and 14 are joined together by means of a C-shaped elongated spring connector member 18, which has an outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tubular sections 12 and 14 whereby the connector member 18 may be press-fitted into the mounting end 13 of tubular section 12 and slidably receive the mounting end 15 of tubular section 14, the details regarding the mounting of the tubular sections 12 and 14 upon the connector member 18 to be described hereinafter. A collar 20 is provided at the point ofjuncture of the tubular sections 12 and 141 and is so constructed as to' overlappingly receive the mounting ends 13 and 15 of tubular sections 12 and 14 respectively.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the detailed construction of the collar 20. In FIG. 5, the collar 20 is shown to be elliptical in configuration and hence, assumes the same configuration as the tubular sections 12 and 14, as well as the spring connector member 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the collar 20 comprises anelliptical ring 22 having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of tubular sections 12 and 14. Along the midpoint of the internal surface of the elliptical ring 22 a retention flange 24 is formed, which in fact, is an integral part of the collar 20. The retention flange 24 is shown to extend inwardly from the interior surface of the elliptical ring 22 and has an internal diameter slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the connector member 18 whereby the collar 20 is slidable along the length of the connector member 18. The retention flange 24 has a thickness approximating the thickness of the tubular sections 12 and 14 whereby the collar 20 overlaps adjacent tubular sections 12 and 14, the internal surface of the collar 20 riding on the external surface of the mounting ends 13 and 15 of the tubular sections 12 and 1 1 respectively. The outer surface of the collar 20 has bevelled peripheries adjacent both side edges as depicted at 26 (FIG. 8) providing a smooth juncture between the adjacent tubular sections 12 and 14. The tube receiving undercuts 17, 19 permit the masking of the tubular section ends 13, 15 which may be burred or otherwise lack a finish to form a smooth joint.

The collar 20 is preferably formed of a plastic material which may be molded by any suitable molding means and may be formed of such plastics as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the collar 20 is molded from polypropylene plastic. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the plastic material of which the collar 20 is formed performs the function of wiping the connector member 18 as it is slid therealong, which serves the purpose of providing a smooth and slidable surface along the outer exposed portion of the connector member 18.

Each of the tubular sections 12 and 14 are formed of a metallic material, the preferred material being aluminum. The tubular sections 12 and 14 are constructed by roll forming the aluminum and seaming the edges along the length of the respective tubular sections 12 and 14, one edge being rolled upon the other edge as depicted generally at numeral 30 in the drawings (FIG. 4). In this manner, the seam 30 provides a sturdy additional longitudinal support for the handle assembly 111. To further add to the strength and sturdiness of the handle assembly 10, the aluminum contains a plurality of longitudinal striations 32 running along the length of each tubular section 12 and 14 respectively, which results in a longitudinally grooved tubular section as depicted in FIG. 8 of the drawings. The longitudinal striations 32, thereby provide additional longitudinal strength to accommodate the pressures which are brought to bear against the appliance when in use by an operator.

In FIG. 10 of the drawings, an alternative embodiment of a tubular section configuration is illustrated. In this embodiment there is shown a tubular handle section 50, which is constructed by roll-forming an alu minum sheet into an elliptical configuration and having the opposed side edges 52 thereof, meeting in butting relationship. Along the entire length of the butting relationship of the opposed side edges 52, a weld 54 is applied along the entire length thereof. In this manner, the side edges 52 are welded together along the entire length thereby completing the construction of tubular handle 50 of this type. The weld 54 attempts to provide longitudinal strength and sturdiness and therefore, a handle assembly formed form tubular sections 50 is relatively strong and will accept the pressure exerted thereupon by the operator.

As has been indicated previously, each of the tubular sections 12 and 14 is elliptical in configuration, having the major axis of the elipse within the plane of maximum downward effort on the handle 10 when the same is in use. Hence, the combination of having a longitudinal seam 33, longitudinal striations 32 and an elliptical configuration with the major axis of the lipse being within the plane of the maximum downward effort on the handle assembly 10 when the same is in use, provides a very sturdy handle assembly 10 which greatly resists the tendency to flex when a downward pressure is applied to the appliance when used by the operator. Furthermore, the striations 32 serve in cooperation with the elliptical cross-section, to make the exterior length of each tubular piece a hand tool.

Each tubular section 12 and 14 is formed identically one to the other, whereby a plurality of such tubular sections may be interconnected to form a handle assembly 10 of any desired length. Hence, such work functions as roll painting high ceilings, washing vehicles, such as trailer trucks, airplanes, and the like, may be accomplished by using a handle assembly of the type described herein.

The construction of the C-shaped spring connector member 18 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 of the drawings. The connector member 18 is formed of spring steel of the type generally known in the art. The C-shaped configuration of the connector member 18 defines jaws 34 and 36, which in turn define an open slot therebetween. The external diameter of the connector member 18 is the same as, or slightly greater than, the internal diameter of each of the tubular sections 12 and 14, such that the connector member 18, is tightly slidable within each of the tubular sections 12 and 14. The opposed external edges of the connector member 18 are tapered as indicated at 40, thereby providing mounting ingress and egress when the same is inserted or removed from the respective tubular sections 12 and 14. When interconnecting adjacent tubular sections 12 and 14, the seam 30 of each of the aforementioned tubular sections 12 and 14 respectively, is positioned within the open slot 38 defined by the jaws 34 and 36 of the connector member 18. In in this manner, the combination of the open slot 38 and the longitudinal seams 30 provide convenient guide and positioning means when assembling the handle assembly 10. Hence, it is virtually impossible to assemble the handle assemble 10 in any manner but with proper orientation, since the seam 30 of each tubular section 12 and 14 must be inserted within the open slot 38 defined by the jaws 34 and 36 of the connector member 18.

In the connections of the handle assembly 10, the connector member 18 is press-fitted within the tubular section 14, and inserted therein for a distance approximately one half of the length of the connector member 18. The length of connector member 18 which is inserted in tubular section 14 is not subjected to the wiping action of the collar 20, nor is it cleaned after being formed in the usual manner. The lack of wiping action and the fact that the connector member 18 is not cleaned, prior to being press-fitted in tubular section 14 and the fact that the connector member 18 is formed of spring steel and has an external diameter the same as, or slightly greater than the tubular section 14, will keep the connector member 18 in position within tubular section 14. It is believed that all of the aforementioned factors combine to result in a stronger interfacial bond between the external surface of the connector member 18 and the internal surface of tubular section 14 whereby the connector member 18 will have a tendency to remain in press-fitted relationship with tubular section 14 during disassembly of the handle assembly 10.

Once the connector member 18 has been properly positioned with the first tubular section 14 as indicated above, the collar 20 is slipped onto the outer exposed end of the connector member 18 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8. Thereafter the next adjacent tubular section 12 is slipped onto the connector member 18, the tapered end 40 of the connector member 18 providing convenient ingress means for slipping the tubular section 12 onto the connector member 18. Once the tubular section 12 has been slipped onto the con nector member 18 and pushed forwardly, the mounting end 13 of tubular section 12 will meet and engage the retaining flange 24 of the collar 20 and as manual pressure is applied to force tubular section 12 onto the outer exposed end of connector member 18, the collar 20 will be slid along the outer exposed end of the connector member 18 until the other surface of the retention flange 24 meets with the mounting end 15 of the tubular section 14. Hence, once the tubular sections 12 and 14 are in position on the connector member 18 with the collar 20 disposed at the point of juncture between the tubular sections 12 and 14, in the manner shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the mounting ends 13 and 15 of tubular sections 12 and 14 respectively will be overlappingly received by the elliptical ring 22 with the retention flange 24 being interposed between the mounting ends 13 and 15.

As indicated above, during the mounting of the adjacent tubular section 12 onto the connector member 18, the collar is forced to slide along the outer exposed end of the connector member 18, thereby causing the interior surface of the retention flange 24 to wipe along the length of connector member 18. This wiping action between the retention flange 24 and the outer exposed end of the connector member 18 results in the cleaning and smoothening of the outer exposed length of connector member 18 whereby the interfacial bond between the outer surface of the connector member 18 and the interior surface of the tubular section 12 is weaker than the interfacial bond between the outer surface of connector member 18 and the interior surface of tubular section 14. Hence, in disassembling the handle assembly 10, tubular section 12 is more prone to removal than tubular section 14 and therefore, the operator will be virtually assured of removing tubular section 12 from the connector member 18 every time the handle assembly 10 is disassembled.

To ensure that the initial wiping action will occur when the operator first assembles the handle assembly 10, the manufacturer of the handle assembly 10 completes the first initial steps of assembly by inserting the connector member 18 into tubular section 14, and thereafter, mounting the collar 20 adjacent the outer exposed end of the connector member 18. Hence, when the operator purchases the appliance upon which the handle assembly 10 is utilized, the only additional step necessary for assembly is the mounting of tubular section 12 onto the connector member 18 and forcing collar 20 to slide along the length of the outer exposed end of connector 18 as the tubular section 12 is pushed into position. The assembly is completed when the collar 20 meets with the mounting end 15 of tubular section 14 and the respective mounting ends 13 and 15 are thereafter held in overlapping relationship with respect to the elliptical ring 22 of collar 20, with the retention flange 24 disposed therebetween. It is clear, therefore, that the initial wiping action has been performed by the operator, and thereafter, when disassembling the handle assembly 10, tubular section 12 is more prone to removal than tubular section 14, and the operator may therefore know that when the tubular sections 12 and 14 are manually pulled apart, he can expect tubular section 12 to be demounted from connector 18.

Once the handle assembly has been fully assembled in the manner shown in PK). 2 of the drawings, a very sturdy and flex-resistant handle assembly 10 is achieved. As was indicated hereinabove, the combination of the seam 30 of each of the tubular sections 12 and 14 respectively coacting with the open slot 38 defined by the jaws 34 and 36, the longitudinal striations 32, and the elliptical configuration of tubular sections 12 and 14 with the major axis of the elipse being in the plane of maximum downward effort, and the positioning of the collar 20 at the point of juncture of adjacent tubular sections 12 and 14 on the connector member 18 all combine to provide a handle assembly 10 which resists flexing when downward effort is exerted against the handle during the use by the operator. At the same time, the handle assembly 10 is very easily disassembled merely by manually withdrawing the tubular section 12 from the connector member 18, and due to the wiping action which resulted from the retention flange 241 of the collar 20 sliding along the outer exposed end of the connector member 18, this surface is extremely smooth and the tubular section 12 may therefore be easily withdrawn.

In the normal field of use, a handle assembly 10 of the type described herein is used in connection with appliances such as wringer mops, such as the type of mop shown and described in co-pending application Ser. No. 119,160 entitled WRINGER MOP, under the name of Samuel J. Popeil, as inventor, filed on Feb. 26, 1971. Generally, the appliance upon which the handle assembly is utilized will have a mounting lug, (not shown) which is so proportioned as to snugly fit in the open end of the tubular section 12 in friction engagement, or press-fitted engagement. In this manner, the handle assembly 10 is connected to the particular appliance desired. It is apparent that one may construct a series of appliances which may be provided with mounting lugs of the same size, thereby accommodating the same tubular handle assembly 10 as disclosed herein. For example, one may construct such items as mops of the type set forth above, paint rollers, carpet sweepers, brooms, dusters, Squeegees, and a variety of other such appliances. In addition, the operator may employ more than two tubular sections such as 12 and 14 by merely inserting another C-shaped spring connector member 18 into the trailing end of the most rearward or forward tubular section, and thereafter, mounting additional tubular sections 16 until the desired length is achieved. Hence, where the operator desires to clean such surfaces as cathedral ceilings in a home, and the like, he may assemble as many tubular sections as may be necessary to arrive at the proper length of appliance handle in order to reach the necessary distance to clean the walls and ceilings.

Where the operator desires to utilize the handle assembly in the normal fashion, usually two tubular sections, such as 12 and 14, are joined in the manner described hereinabove, and the handle assembly 10 then mounted on the appliance to be utilized. In such a case, the trailing end of the most rearward tubular section 14 is closed by means of an end plug (FIG. 9) the end plug 42 having a peripheral ledge 44 which over laps the end of the tubular section 14 and an insert end 46 which has an external diameter the same as or slightly greater than the internal diameter of tubular section 14 whereby the insert end 46 may be pressfitted within the trailing end of the tubular section 14, thereby closing the end of tubular section 14, preventing any accidental injury to the operator by covering any exposed aluminum which may exist on that end. Of course, the end plug 42 is removable since the operator may desire to add additional lengths of sections in the manner indicated hereinabove, in which case the end plug 412 is merely removed and additional tubular sections assembled.

The relative dimensions of the components can be best understood in the light of a commercial embodiment. For example, where the connector member is formed of spring steel SAE 1074 and plated to a dull cadmium finish, said steel having a thickness of 0.020 inches, the overall length of the connector member 18 is 6 inches, the gap 38 in the C-shaped cross-section 0.375 inches, and the major axis of the elliptical section is 1.200 inches and the minor axis 0.575 inches. The collar 20 is 0.500 inches in width and 1.487 inches in diameter. More specifically, the inner diameter of the retention flange 24 is 1.195 inches thereby providing a 0.005 inch undersize when related to the connector member 18 overall outside diameter along its major axis of 1.200 inches. The undercut portion to accommodate the mounting ends 13, 15 of the tubular sections 12, 14, is 1.301 inches. The tubular sections 12, 14, have an overall major inside diameter of 1.194 inches on the major axis and 0.696 inches on the minor axis thereby defining an undersize relationship with the connector member 18 of 0.004 inches along both the major and minor axes. The seam 30 of the tubular members 12, 14 has a maximum length of 0.250 inches thereby providing a tolerance of 0.125 inches between the seam outer reaches and the gap 38 of the connector member 18. The material for the handle sections 12, 14 is aluminum, specified as 3005-1125. The striations 32 have an interior radius of 0.015 inches and exterior radius of 0.030 inches. The striations are formed so that they terminate at the ends of the major and minor axis of the elliptical configuration, and on the full side opposite the seams there are twelve such evenly spaced striations in addition to those at the ends of the major axis of the elliptical form. When the seam 30 is formed with two reversely folded members as illustrated in FIG. 4, the thickness of the seam approximates 0.081 inches.

From the above description, it is clear that there has been provided in an illustrative embodiment of the present invention a novel handle assembly which may be easily assembled and disassembled. In addition, the necessity for threaded parts or retention bolts and the like has been eliminated, the illustrative handle assembly comprising a minimum of parts which are simply press-fitted together. Furthermore, the handle made in accordance with the present invention, by virtue of the materials of which the assembly is made, as well as the particular construction and design thereof, is extremely sturdy and resistant to flexion when an operator applies downward pressure against the handle assembly when utilizing the appliance to which it is attached. Just as importantly, the handle assembly of the present invention permits the operator to assemble as many sections as may be necessary, or desired, in order to form a particular work function requiring an elongated handle, and therefore, the handle assembly of the present invention has far greater utility than handle assemblies heretofore known in the art. These and other advantages are clearly apparent in view of the foregoing description and drawings. While there has been described what .at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications will be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A demountable handle comprising, in combination,

a plurality of tubular sections,

connector members interconnecting adjacent said tubular sections, each connector having a C-shaped cross-section,

one end of said Cshaped connector member being compressed while inserted in one of said tubular sections, and the other end of said C-shaped connector extending outwardly from said tubular section,

collar means slidably disposed on said C-shaped connector member for positioning between two adjacently joined tubular sections and proportioned to snugly receive between its lateral confines the configuration of adjacent tubular sections and further including a centrally disposed retention flange for sliding engagement with said C-shaped connector member to thereby position said collar at a mid-point at the juncture between the adjacent tubular sections and to overlappingly receive the joined tubular sections and thereby to form a strengthened joint between adjacent tubular sections when the same are joined together,

whereby due to the reactive forces exerted between said collar means and said compressed C-shaped connector member, said connector member is securely held in position in the first tubular section and permits slidable engagement and disengagement of said next adjacent tubular section along the outer exposed end thereof, providing a demountable handle assembly.

2. The demountable handle as set forth in claim 1 above,

wherein each of said tubular sections is formed of a lightweight roll-formed material and provided with a longitudinal seam'thereby to form each tubular section,

said C-shaped connector member defining jaws along the open portion thereof, and

said jaws being spaced to straddle said longitudinal seam ofeach of said tubular sections.

3. The demountable handle assembly as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said tubular sections are elliptical in configuration, the seam of said formed tubular sections intersects with the minor axis of said elliptical tubular sections, and the major axis of said tubular sections contains the plane of the effort to be applied to said handle in normal usage.

4. The demountable handle assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes an end plug member being proportioned for mating engagement with the open end ofthe trailing tubular section.

5. A demountable handle assembly for appliances such as mops and the like comprising a first tubular handle section,

a second tubular handle section,

a C-shaped connector member pressure fitted within said first tubular handle section for a distance approximately equal to one-half the length of said connector member while the other half of said connector member extends outwardly from said first tubular handle section,

a collar slidably disposed on said connector member having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the external diameter of said connector member such that the outer end of said connector member is slightly compressed to thus provide a wiping action along the outer end of said connector member when the same is slid therealong,

said second tubular handle section being slidably mounted on the outer end of said connector member, whereby when the collar is disposed at the juncture of said first and second handle portions thereof it provides additional rigidity to the handle assembly.

6. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is tapered at least one end thereof to provide mounting ingress for the handle portion to be slidably mounted thereon.

7. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is tapered at both ends thereof to provide mounting ingress for said first and said second tubular handle sections respectively.

8. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is symmetrical along the total length thereof.

9. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said collar comprises a band having an annular mounting flange disposed around the interior surface of said band and spaced inwardly from the outer ends of said band whereby said first tubular handle section may be accommodated between the undersurfaces of said band and against one side edge of said annular mounting flange, and said second tubular handle section may be accommodated within said collar between the undersurface of said band and the other side edge of said annular mounting flange.

10. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 9 above, wherein said collar and said C-shaped connector member and said first and said second tubular handle sections respectively are elliptical in configuration.

11. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said first and second tubular handle sections respectively are each formed from seamed roll-formed aluminum.

12. The handle assembly as set forth in claim ll above, wherein said first and second tubular handle sections include longitudinal striations along the major access of the elipse within the plane of maximum downward effort on the said handle assembly.

13. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein each of said first and second tubular handle sections respectively is formed from sheet aluminum which is rolled and provided with a longitudinal seam by means of an overlapping and turning in of said sheet aluminum material. 

1. A demountable handle comprising, in combination, a plurality of tubular sections, connector members interconnecting adjacent said tubular sections, each connector having a C-shaped cross-section, one end of said C-shaped connector member being compressed while inserted in one of said tubular sections, and the other end of said C-shaped connector extending outwardly from said tubular section, collar means slidably disposed on said C-shaped connector member for positioning between two adjacently joined tubular sections and proportioned to snugly receive between its lateral confines the configuration of adjacent tubular sections and further including a centrally disposed retention flange for sliding engagement with said C-shaped connector member to thereby position said collar at a mid-point at the juncture between the adjacent tubular sections and to overlappingly receive the joined tubular sections and thereby to form a strengthened joint between adjacent tubular sections when the same are joined tOgether, whereby due to the reactive forces exerted between said collar means and said compressed C-shaped connector member, said connector member is securely held in position in the first tubular section and permits slidable engagement and disengagement of said next adjacent tubular section along the outer exposed end thereof, providing a demountable handle assembly.
 2. The demountable handle as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein each of said tubular sections is formed of a lightweight roll-formed material and provided with a longitudinal seam thereby to form each tubular section, said C-shaped connector member defining jaws along the open portion thereof, and said jaws being spaced to straddle said longitudinal seam of each of said tubular sections.
 3. The demountable handle assembly as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said tubular sections are elliptical in configuration, the seam of said formed tubular sections intersects with the minor axis of said elliptical tubular sections, and the major axis of said tubular sections contains the plane of the effort to be applied to said handle in normal usage.
 4. The demountable handle assembly as set forth in claim 1 above, which further includes an end plug member being proportioned for mating engagement with the open end of the trailing tubular section.
 5. A demountable handle assembly for appliances such as mops and the like comprising a first tubular handle section, a second tubular handle section, a C-shaped connector member pressure fitted within said first tubular handle section for a distance approximately equal to one-half the length of said connector member while the other half of said connector member extends outwardly from said first tubular handle section, a collar slidably disposed on said connector member having an internal diameter slightly smaller than the external diameter of said connector member such that the outer end of said connector member is slightly compressed to thus provide a wiping action along the outer end of said connector member when the same is slid therealong, said second tubular handle section being slidably mounted on the outer end of said connector member, whereby when the collar is disposed at the juncture of said first and second handle portions thereof it provides additional rigidity to the handle assembly.
 6. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is tapered at least one end thereof to provide mounting ingress for the handle portion to be slidably mounted thereon.
 7. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is tapered at both ends thereof to provide mounting ingress for said first and said second tubular handle sections respectively.
 8. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said C-shaped connector member is symmetrical along the total length thereof.
 9. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said collar comprises a band having an annular mounting flange disposed around the interior surface of said band and spaced inwardly from the outer ends of said band whereby said first tubular handle section may be accommodated between the undersurfaces of said band and against one side edge of said annular mounting flange, and said second tubular handle section may be accommodated within said collar between the undersurface of said band and the other side edge of said annular mounting flange.
 10. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 9 above, wherein said collar and said C-shaped connector member and said first and said second tubular handle sections respectively are elliptical in configuration.
 11. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 5 above, wherein said first and second tubular handle sections respectively are each formed from seamed roll-formed aluminum.
 12. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 11 above, wherein said first and second tubular haNdle sections include longitudinal striations along the major access of the elipse within the plane of maximum downward effort on the said handle assembly.
 13. The handle assembly as set forth in claim 6 above, wherein each of said first and second tubular handle sections respectively is formed from sheet aluminum which is rolled and provided with a longitudinal seam by means of an overlapping and turning in of said sheet aluminum material. 